What Do a Shoe, a Cell Phone and Paint Have in Common?

by Ilene Moyher

They’re all recyclable – and sometimes even for charity! It may be cash raised by turning in recyclable items, or in some cases, the items are repurposed or reused by those in need. There’s also the huge benefit of keeping these things out of landfills.

Here are just a few examples of organizations that creatively recycle typical and atypical items, and make it easy to participate:

Clothes, Shoes and More: “Over 85% of all clothing purchased in the USA ends up in our landfills instead of being recycled.” (Source Clothes4Souls.org)

• Clothes4Souls and Soles4Souls – These groups divert tons of clothing and shoes (new and gently used) from our landfills. Clothes4Souls and Soles4Souls give to people living in extreme poverty and support micro-business efforts to eradicate poverty.
• PlanetAid.org is another organization that collects clothes and shoes to help people worldwide. Look for one of their bins located in regions throughout the U.S.
• Refer to Socially & Environmentally Responsible Shoes for fun eco-friendly shoe news. Lots of great things are happening, and hopefully next on the plate of shoe manufacturers will be to establish less packaging (ever notice that shoes are heavily packed with non-recyclable, non-reusable filler?).

Computers, Electronics and Household Items: “Electronic waste, or e-waste, is generally considered anything that plugs into a wall or accepts batteries. E-waste has surfaced as an important issue, because it can be dangerous if disposed of improperly.” (Source Earth911.com)

• Earth 911 - Earth911.com specializes in providing consumers with accessible and actionable recycling information across the country. Their directory has information for recycling over 240 different products: electronics, hazardous, plastic, paper, garden, automotive, metal, paint, glass, and construction
• Recycle4Charity – This virtual recycling center accepts empty used laser toner and inkjet cartridges, used cell phones, and new surplus supplies for copier, fax and laser printers, with a chosen charity as the beneficiary of funds raised through reselling these items. Free shipping.
• RecyclingForFood – This organization encourages businesses, organizations, schools, and individuals to recycle more, and use the funds raised to feed the disabled, homeless, and other people in need.
• Recycle Caps with Aveda - Aveda found that a majority of plastic bottle caps do not get recycled. Often these caps end up in rivers and oceans, which is quite detrimental to birds and marine creatures. Over 1,600 schools participate in the collection program, maybe one near you.  

Let’s all continually strive to recycle and reuse things as the first course of action before throwing them away.  Feel free to share any ideas and tips you have learned in trying to adopt a less ‘disposable’ lifestyle.  

Remember, the three basics of our Operation Trashdown are:

• Reuse or recycle more than you throw away
• Consider product packaging – amount of packaging and whether it’s made of recycled or recyclable materials
• When buying, make choices based on where items will end up (in a landfill? recycled? a treasured keepsake? long usage life?)

Everyone can help make a cleaner earth by embracing the ‘less trash’ mindset in their shopping and daily routines.  Think of something you may have already done or can start doing today.  Please share your successes and ideas, and encourage your friends and family to think green in this way, as well. If each person adopts one or more habits to shift away from living a disposable lifestyle, and teaches the next generation earth-friendly habits, it will make a big difference.

Image courtesy of Soles4Souls.com. 

Comments

[sell my mobile]

Recycling is beneficial in so many ways, most importantly to save the environment.......nd mass awareness is very important to promote this. Sell your old electronics and get paid......isn't that enough to go for recycling?

[sell mobiles]

I really appreciate you for your post..its a great piece of work!Recycling mobile phones for a good cause i.e. charity is appreciable work!

[phones for cash]

Yes,its sad that only few people know about recycling cell phones.
I think many people must know about this because it not only help us but our environment also.

[Inkjet Cartridges]

People should learn to save money and recycle nowadays.A lot of people are still suffering from poverty.Be wise and spend money wisely and save the economy and environment.Recycle

[Refurbished Cell Phone]

Interesting article. thank you

[Recycle mobile phones]

Recycling helps a little bit for environment to go green and also diverts old and unused mobile handsets away from landfill sites. Mobile recycling for charity is a appreciable way to avoid stocking up of landfills thus also safeguarding the nature as a minimal step by us.

[Cash for phones]

Sad to say but only few people knew that they can recycle their old phones, that's why several companies are spreading the awareness for this kind of program to avoid e-waste.